Johnny Holland is searching for the next Al-Shaair with Dre Greenlaw likely unavailable until the playoffs. They signed DFF with guaranteed money which means he's making the team, predominantly as a special teams ace. I've seen enough of him at LB to hope another emerges that keeps him from ever seeing the field in that capacity. That brings us to last years draft where they double dipped at the position by taking Dee Winters and Jalen Graham. Winters getting all the love from Warner at his presser and Graham a McCloughan favorite. They also signed Devonte Campbell as a Free Agent. He's nothing special but he's got the veteran experience that Shanahan trusts. They kept 6 linebackers last year but I'm not convinced they do that this year with a player like Mustapha in the fold. For that reason I like them to go with 5 linebackers this year. Warner/Campbell/DFF/Winters/Graham. Who do you guys got?
So you don't see Bethune making the 53? I think Campbell will hold down Greenlaw's spot until DG can return. Either Graham or Winters will have to have huge camps to win that spot. Who do you see winning the #3 LB spot?
ReplyDeleteNo I do not see room for Bethune. Sounds like Winters is on track to win the #3 LB spot if you believe Warner.
DeleteRazor,
DeleteLast year It was Graham that seemed ahead of Winters early in TC. Now it seems like Winters has gone ahead of Graham. This will be a nice battle in TC. If both these players make the 53 it bodes well for the 49ers future at this position.
We need it. No Greenlaw is my primary concern going into this season, followed by who is the FS?
DeleteWhat about Ezekial Turner?
ReplyDeleteWord is we signed him because he is an ace Special Teamer. The coaches know him pretty well because we play the AZCardinals twice a year.
So I got 6lbs making the roster. Warner/DFF/Robinson/Turner/Winters/Graham.
Curtis Robinson beats out Campbell and Greenlaw starts the season on PUP and will be available come playoffs. Robinson is on his 3rd year in the system...so he is the Al-Shaair we are looking for. :)
Bethune gets claimed on the waiver wire, while we try to stash him on the PS. The Rams are pretty bad at LB...so whomever we cut, they will claim. Thieves!
That's pretty bold. I like it!
DeleteCampbell's contract guarantees 4.5 mill. I do not see the 9ers cutting Campbell and throwing 4.5 mill out the window.
ReplyDelete* De'Vondre Campbell has the experience and the athletic ability to replace Greenlaw until he's cleared to play. The only question for me is....Is his knee and ankle 100%, after his late 2023 Dec injuries?
ReplyDelete* Campbell earned his first All-Pro nod in 2021, playing the right ILB
position, producing a career-high 146 total tackles. His last 2 seasons Campbell has played the left inside LB position. He brings a strong history of playing multiple spots in the LB unit, perfect for a 49ers defense that’s had trouble with depth and health.
* The knock on the 9ers new EDGE rusher, Leonard Floyd, is his
tackling. Campbell can also help cover up for that problem.
* Lining up outside or inside, Campbell has tallied 779 total stops in his 8 year career and 507 solo tackles.
From 2017 to 2022, Campbell racked up more than 92 stops in every season. But In 2023, he settled for 75 tackles as he was limited to 11 games due to a late-season knee and ankle injuries in December.
* LB Dee Winters is a 5' 11' X 227, 6th Rd rookie, Jalen Graham is a 7th Rd draft pick and Curtis Robinson is an UDFA. All 3 have shown POTENTIAL, but have not played a down in the NFL....To be a starter for a team that's a SB contender? Lets see what we think of them after pre season.
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles: I almost forgot DFF....Likely because I agree with Razor! I also see him as a special teams ace.
ReplyDeleteBrock Purdy among 32 QBs with 300-plus dropbacks in 2023:
ReplyDeleteEPA per dropback: +0.338 (No. 1)
Completion percentage over expected: +5.4% (No. 1)
Passer rating: 113.0 (No. 1)
Yards per attempt: 9.6 (No. 1)
It's going to be a good competition between the young guys for those roster spots. Warner and Campbell will be the starters you'd imagine, and I think Winters nabs the 3rd LB spot. Mainly because he's better suited to the Al-Shaair type role than Graham.
ReplyDeleteGraham I expect will retain primary backup duties to Warner at MLB.
After that... ability to contribute on STs will likely be the deciding factor.
Brock Purdy Passer Rating with PA: 133.1
ReplyDeleteBrock Purdy Passer Rating Dropback: 100.6